In part, the resolution reads: “RESOLVED, That the 82nd
Legislature of the State of Texas, 1st Called Session, hereby commend
the members of the Texas Supreme Court for their actions in support of
legal aid services and honor them for their work in promoting access to
justice for the state’s most vulnerable citizens; and, be it
further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared
for the Texas Supreme Court as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.”

Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan L. Hecht, the Court’s
liaison for access to justice issues, was in attendance for the historic
proclamations, along with fellow justices from the Court.

"Continued support for basic civil legal services for the poor
is a high priority for the Texas Supreme Court,” Justice Hecht
said. "With more than 5.7 million Texans qualifying for legal aid,
the Supreme Court is proud to have been able to work with the
Legislature to ensure access to justice for struggling
Texans."

The Texas Access to Justice Commission was created
in 2001 by the Supreme Court of Texas to develop and implement policy
initiatives designed to expand access to and enhance the quality of
justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans. The Commission
has created several initiatives to increase resources and awareness of
legal aid. For more information, please visit www.TexasATJ.org.

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (www.teajf.org), created
by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the primary state-based
funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas. The
organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal
access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation
administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist
nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to approximately 100,000
Texas families each year.